It was always going to be difficult for Clogher Valley to maintain the same levels of intensity as the previous week in the bruising encounter against Cooke.
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Not for the first time this season Valley had to dig deep when not playing well.That tenacity and never-say-die attitude saw them win through yet again to maintain their undefeated League record. It was an error-strewn, nervy, fits-and-starts performance against a fired-up Donaghadee side who,once again, nearly did their Belfast neighbours Cooke a big favour.
The Fat Lady was clearing her throat with Donaghadee heading towards victory when Valley gave away a penalty in the dying seconds. With the clock ticking towards the “red”,an ill-advised tap penalty by a Donaghadee forward was turned over deep in the Valley 22. Ally Breen gathered and launched a last-gasp counter attack. He cut through the ‘Dee midfield and sprinted towards the half way line before passing to Davy Dunlop.He drew the covering defender and off-loaded to substitute winger Keith Todd who cut inside his opposite number and outpaced the desperate chasers to score under the posts for the winning score.
Playing with the slope and a strong wind in the first half,Valley started brightly to bring play into the ‘Dee 22. As the forwards pounded the ‘Dee line a penalty was conceded and Valley kicked to the corner. Valley knocked on and ‘Dee had the scrum put in. A massive shove by the Valley pack saw the ball pop out and Baxter pounced and drove towards the line. After a couple of forward drives the ball was moved left and Ally Breen came into the line to score left of the posts. Holme converted for a 0 – 7 lead after four minutes.
The home side came back into the game and enjoyed a period of possession. Valley weren’t helping their cause with some poor ball retention and lack of support at the breakdown. The home forwards were competing more vigourously and turned over Valley possession on more than one occasion.
Despite the slope and wind advantage Valley stuttered towards half time. On occasions they flattered to deceive but came back to earth with a string of handling errors and charged – down kicks to hand the initiative back to the home side. A Holme penalty on the stroke of half time gave Valley a 0 – 10 interval lead which the locals reckoned wasn’t going to be enoufg,given the slope and the weather conditions.
Donaghadee got off to the perfect start in the second half when Valley were penalised for not releasing. Santos kicked the points to make it 3 – 10. Valley continued to stutter with the unforced error count mounting all the time. Ten minutes into the second half Falconer launched an attack from the Valley half. Lyons and Dunlop continued the move and Valley were awarded a scrum inside the ‘Dee 22. Falconer was injured in the move and had to be replaced by Keith Todd who came on on the left wing while Dunlop moved to centre. From the scrum the ball was moved left to Todd,who,with his first touch of the ball ,nearly got in at the corner.B J Wilson was up in support to gather and cross for the try. The touch-line conversion into the wind was impossible but Valley looked to be comfortable at 3 – 15. From the restart slick passing saw Andy Breen go in for a “try” but play was brought back for a forward pass. Valley were playing their best rugby of the game but could not land the coup de grace when on or over the ‘Dee line.
Again the game turned and Valley seemed to switch off for a crucial ten minute period. Two uncharacteristic defensive lapses allowed ‘Dee in for fourteen points. A wheeled scrum was allowed to continue and scrum half Lockhart put left winger Santos in for an easy try and conversion. Almost immediately Valley spilled ball trying to run out if defence and conceded a penalty. ‘Dee kept the pressure on by taking a quick tap penalty and out half Blewitt ran over at the posts for another converted try with five minutes on the clock. At this stage Valley were reeling but then came that last minute ,length of the pitch try and the rest,as they say,is history.
Donaghadee have an immediate opportunity to level matters when they return to The Cran on Saturday for the Towns Cup Quarter Final. The Valley coaches will assess the lengthening injury list before naming their team. They will also be looking to eliminate the errors which could have been so costly last Saturday.
Cooke closed the gap at the top of the table to two points with another bonus-point win at the weekend. With Coleraine away on Tuesday 28th February and Ballymoney at home on March 3rd the congested fixture list will be a big test for the Valley First team squad.
